Sports briefs for Nov. 22

Steamboat Springs  One look at the Steamboat Springs High School wrestling numbers and it's easy to think the program might be down.

But look further into the future - and at the Yampa Valley Wrestling Club - and that notion is thrown out the window.

The Yampa Valley Wrestling Club's season is in full swing, and coach Shane Yeager said the program is as strong as ever.

During Tuesday and Thursday practices at Strawberry Park Elementary School, Yeager said it's not unusual to have as many as 30 wrestlers between kindergarten and eighth grade. And throughout the year, it's been just as common to have almost all the wrestlers place at tournaments.

"The kids are sticking it out and staying," Yeager said, noting the league the club is in matches wrestlers by ability instead of age or weight. "More and more are coming every week."

Along with the Wrestling Club, Yeager said he's encouraged by the development of the junior high program.

Casey Williams, a seventh-grader, placed third at nationals just two weeks ago. Along with Williams, Yeager said there are a handful of wrestlers who are going to be tough to beat this year.

"This is very positive for the future of Steamboat wrestling," Yeager said. "This is my seventh year back in the wrestling program, and the numbers are more and more encouraging."

The Yampa Valley Wrestling Club concludes its season with the Dec. 2 Steamboat Invitational. The tournament draws nine teams and more than 200 wrestlers. The tournament begins at 9:30 a.m. at the high school.

Yeager said he welcomes anyone interested in joining the Yampa Valley Wrestling Club to show up at either a Tuesday or Thursday practice. Practices run from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Strawberry Park Elementary School.

"The future of wrestling is coming," Yeager said. "The future is here and will be on display on Dec. 2."

U-19 girls pick up three wins during weekend

The Steamboat Springs girls U-19 hockey team went 3-1 during the weekend, improving its overall record to 5-2-1.

On Saturday, Steamboat played two games against Summit, winning both. In the first game, Emily Birch scored five goals en route to a 9-1 win. Birch added two more goals in the second game, a 9-0 win. Sierra Romick, Claire Tegl, Alexis Stabile, Heidi Cordell, Alexandra Eggleston, Jessica Fox and Shelby Stover all scored for Steamboat in the second game.

On Sunday, Steamboat split a pair of games against Colorado Springs.

After falling behind, 2-0, in the first game, Steamboat scored three consecutive goals to win, 3-2. Birch, Eggleston and Lizzie Stoll scored goals for Steamboat.

In the second game, the teams flip-flopped scores with Colorado Springs getting the 3-2 win. Birch scored both goals for Steamboat.